ArcHC_3D homepage

Research & Development (applied research)

(2021-2022) Tactile models for visual impaired people

Team: Victor Ferreira, Luís Mateus, Raquel Flores

Partners: Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa/ARCHC3D, Direção Geral do Património

Objectives, Methodology and Results: The objective of the project is to model and 3D print four World Heritage monuments (National Palace of Mafra, Monastery of Batalha, Monastery of Alcobaça, Convent of Christ in Tomar) and one national monument (National Museum Machado de Castro),of which the first four are listed as World Heritage. A set of various details of these monuments or their museological contents where also included. These physical models where intended to be placed in the various monuments to enhance the accessibility for people with visual impairments. Various types of data were used for modeling, from existing drawings to photogrammetry or laser scanning models. The methodology for geometric modeling of the buildings consisted in using the base 2d and 3D data as a reference for the development of simplified models suitable for the printing scale. Those take into account the appropriate level of simplification to allow physical manipulation by the impaired people. To enhance the modeling process it was also used parametric modeling (Grasshopper in Rhinoceros3D). In the case of details, the methodology involved generating Mesh models from photogrammetry surveys. In this case, it was necessary to develop decimation and smoothing strategies in order to prepare the models for printing.The methodology included a consulting group from a blind people’s association (ACAPO) who followed the project and validated the results. Finally the physical models were assembled in specific supports with Braille inscriptions.In thecontext of this research, one master's thesis was developed by Raquel Flores.

(2022-...) Conservation Architectural Project and Surveying of the walls and Castle of Vila Viçosa

Team: José Aguiar, Victor Ferreira, Luís Mateus, Pedro Pacheco, António Gago, João Ferreira, João Gomes da Silva, Caroline Machado

Partners: Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa/ARCHC3D, Pedro Pacheco Architects, João Gomes da Silva Architects, Arquitetando, ArcHC3D

Objectives/Methodology/Results: The walls, Castle and park of Vila Viçosa are under the administration of Fundação Casa de Bragança which decided to promote its restoration in the context of an application for UNESCO World Heritage. The objective of the project is to produce an integrated survey of an area of approximately 80.000m2 that includes a set of medieval/Gothic walls, a set of 17th century walls, an artillery castle, and to develop a Conservation/Restoration project including landscape. The project is being coordinated by Architect Pedro Pacheco's studio. For the documentation various techniques and approaches were used, namely GPS positioning, topography to obtain control data, photogrammetry with drones to obtain textured models and laser scanning to produce geometric models. In data processing, methodologies are being developed that aim to optimise the geometric quality of the survey as well as methodologies that aim to automate the extraction of varied information. Among these, we highlight the segmentation and classification of point clouds (terrain, vegetation, buildings), automatic extraction of contour lines, and automatic extraction of tree diameters at reference heights. Additionally, the analysis of the topographic/terrain data allowed us to perceive hidden structures of previous fortifications. The team developed an innovative methodology to make the 3D data, in the form of dense point clouds, available online to all stakeholders involved in the project. For that purpose the Potree software tool was used. That allowed the team to use the 3D models as basis for discussion of ideas regarding the intervention. This project is being used as a case study in Caroline Machado's doctoral thesis.

(2021-...) Restoration Project and Surveying of the building of the headquarters of ISN in Fuzeta, Algarve

Team: Luís Mateus, Graziella Del Duca, Gustavo Rocha, José Aguiar, VictorFerreira, Pedro Pacheco

Partners: Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa/ARCHC3D, Pedro Pacheco architects

Objectives/Methodology/Results: The building of the formerheadquarters of “Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos” is a modernist building located on the beach of Olhão. Due to the exposure to the sea water it presents a poor state of conservation. The objective of the project was to produce base elements for the restoration project. Although the request was only the production of traditional sectional plans and elevations, a work methodology was adopted that integrated BIM modeling with laser scanning and photogrammetry. From these three main data sources, a synthesis model was generated. Additionally, this project was used as a case study for the Scan2BIM research project and Gustavo Rocha's doctoral thesis. In this case,parametric modeling algorithms were developed and tested to adjust geometric primitives to laser scanning data, structured as BIM elements, namely terrain, walls, pillars and beams. For this purpose, the Dynamo parametric modeling platform was used on Revit software. From this research, an article is currently being prepared to be submitted to a journal.

(2019-...) Consolidation and Restoration Project of the Walls of the Exterior Bulwarked Perimeter and Interior Islamic and Medieval Fence, Fortaleza de Juromenha

Team: Pedro Pacheco, José Aguiar, João Pernão, Luis Mateus, Victor Ferreira

Partners: Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa/ARCHC3DPedro Pacheco Architects, ARQUITECTANDO

Objectives/Methodology/Results: The fortress of Juromenha, located in Alentejo, near the Portuguese border with Spain, is a military fortification with multiple temporal layers, from medieval to the XVIth/XVIIth century. The level of degradation of the complex led the municipality to promote conservation and restoration works. For that purpose, ArcHC3D members integrated a multidisciplinary team to develop the architectural design. The works included surveying with laser scanning and photogrammetry with drone, analysis and diagnosis, light and colour studies, and the conservation/ restoration works.

From the documentation point of view, it was developed a graphical data-flow based in the point cloud data which allowed the team to share information and use the point clouds as basic source of information for discussion of ideas. Moreover, strategies were developed to present all surfaces in true size, including the curved ones. With this project a high level of maturity in dealing with 3D data was achieved. It included data integration from different sources and an online application to provide 3D data, coloured ortho images provided the main base to present the current state of conservation as well as to define the conservation actions to be implemented. A colour survey with a colourimeter was produced, allowing a rigorous standard codification in NCS (Natural Color System) of the main built elements. This survey was also important to define the relationship between the colors of the walls and mortars and the colours of the environment (rocks, dirt, sand) which was found to be similar, denoting the process of construction, using materials from the site. After the project approval, the restoration works started in 2021 and are still going on. The ArcH3D continues to follow up the construction works and provide support. A noticeable advantage of having 3D data is the ability to solve some disputes in the construction site. For example, if the contractor claims that the degradation/ deformation changed and therefore extra costs are also claimed, it is possible to check in the existing data if that is true or not.

Research & Development (fundamental research)

(2020-2023) Quad2BIM: A cooperative approach that brings completeness and inclusiveness to the scanto- BIM modeling process within the historical buildings life cycle

Reference: Grant Agreement number: 895320 — Quad2BIM — H2020-MSCA-IF-2019/H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

(2019-2023) Portugal Builds

The Portugal Builds is a research project aiming to develop a Digital knowledge platform for Portugal Construction History from the 19th and 20th centuries.

(2017-2019) 3D-SMOCH: 3D Smart Modelling for Heritage Conservation

The 3D-SMOCH is a research project aiming to bridge the gap between capturing, management and production of 3D smart models.

(2016-2020) Ren4EEnIEQ Research Project

The Ren4EEnIEQ research project is an undergoing research funded by FCT and FEDER(PTDC/EMS-ENE/3238/2014, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016760, LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-016760). It started in July 2016 and is hosted at ADAI - Coimbra. The main goal was to automate the generation of architectural layouts.

(2016-2020) PTBuilds20

The PTBuilds20 is a research project aiming to sutdy Construction History and Building Cultures in Contemporary Portugal, From Lime to Portland Cement.

(2015-2017) EduDigHe Research Project

The EduDigHE research project is an undergoing research hosted CIAUD-FAUL. The main goal is to provide a framework for pedagogical guidance and training in the field of heritage documentation.

(2013-2015) ReabOP Research Project

The ReabOP research project was funded by FCT (PTDC/ATP-AQI/5355/2012). The main goal was to automate the extraction of some geometric features from point clouds.

(2009-2013) PRONEX

The PRONEX is a research project aiming to study the Luso-Brazilian architectural construction from 16th to 19th century. It was coordinated by Nelson Porto Ribeiro (from Brazil) and FAUL was a partner institution.

(2009-2013) HISTCON

The HISTCON is a research project aiming to study History of Construction in Territories of Portuguese Influence, exploring the relations with the Conservation and Rehabilitation of Architectural Heritage.

(2007-2011) ArcHC_3D Research Project

The ArcHC_3D research project was funded by FCT (PTDC/AUR/66476/2006). It started in October 2007 and ended in May 2011. The main goal was to study the impacts of Laser Scanning and Photogrammetry in Heritage Documentation. It was this project that gave the name to our research group.